Australia Bans New Enrolments in Graduate Diploma Over Visa Misuse Concerns

The Australian federal government has exercised new course-cancellation powers for the first time to halt new international student enrolments in a graduate management diploma, citing concerns that the program is being used to prolong visa status rather than for genuine educational purposes.

Under the directive, vocational education and training (VET) providers and education agents are prohibited from recruiting or commencing new international students for the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning). Existing students enrolled in the course will be permitted to complete their studies.

Spike in Course Transfers Triggers Crackdown

The decision follows a sharp increase in onshore course transfers into the diploma. Data shows transfers rose from 510 in 2020 to 4,000 in 2025, with 77 per cent of students switching into the program from other higher education courses. This mechanism allowed students to change fields without submitting a new student visa application.

Government figures reveal that nearly half of those approved to enrol in the diploma in 2025 failed to commence their studies, while completion rates remained significantly lower than other VET courses. Currently, 452 registered VET providers deliver the course to international students, accounting for 41,033 active confirmed enrolments, including 15,772 currently studying.

Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill stated the government acted to protect the integrity of the international education sector and prevent visa system abuse. Hill accused the former Coalition government of allowing unsustainable growth in less reputable parts of the sector. The intervention follows a 12-month freeze imposed earlier this year on private colleges applying to offer new courses to overseas students.

Broader Migration Management Strategy

The course suspension aligns with broader administrative levers deployed by the government to curb overall migration numbers. Net overseas migration currently stands at approximately 300,000 annually, with the administration aiming to reduce this figure to its projected target of 225,000 by 2028.

As part of these measures, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke adjusted visa processing rules to prioritise onshore skilled migrants, slowing processing times for offshore applicants. Additionally, backpacker visa processing has been decelerated for applicants from 24 nations. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the government will uphold existing working holiday arrangements for British backpackers under the Australia-UK free trade agreement.

Official figures show the population of individuals on bridging visas expanded from 130,450 in 2017 to 413,000 in 2026. Separately, Prime Minister Albanese guaranteed that Australia’s annual humanitarian intake would remain at 20,000 rather than reverting to its previous baseline of 13,750.